Bright We Burn (And I Darken, #3)

by Kiersten White

In this thrilling finale, Lada realises that it is only by destroying everything that came before - including her relationships - that she can truly build the country she wants. A lonely Mehmed knows that if Lada continues in her defiance, only death will prosper, and with Radu’s return to the capital, the two must now stand together against the woman they both love, in a war against the girl prince.

Who will live? Who will die? And who will rule triumphant?

• ISBN10: 0552573760
• ISBN13: 9780552573764
• Publish Date: 5 July 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK
• Imprint: Corgi Childrens
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 400
• Language: English

Reviews

[katie]

I think this review should just consist of my reading notes, so here you go:

14%: I'm worried about Nicolae and Nazira and Cyprian and Radu and (most of all) Lada. As always, I don’t really care about Mehmed or Bogdan. I miss Daciana. I want to know more about the interactions between Urbana and Mara. (knife emoji, broken heart emoji)

31%: NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. MY HEART HAS BEEN RIPPED OUT AND NOTHING WILL EVER BE OKAY AGAIN. WHY COULDN’T SHE HAVE TAKEN (the one I don’t care about) WITH HER?????!!!!!?!?!? WHY DOES ANYONE HAVE TO DIE??!? BRING HIM BACK. (approximately 12-15 crying emojis)

99%: It’s 1 in the morning and I’m crying because that was PERFECT. Except, you know, for that one thing that I’m still VERY UPSET about. Definitely my favorite of the trilogy. Will I cry in September when I meet the woman who wrote my favorite books? Probably. Anyway, this was fantastic and I’m going to try and sleep now.

Full review to come at http://kaitgoodwin.com/books and I'M MEETING KIERSTEN WHITE TOMORROW AND I HAVE NO CHILL
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kelly]

The Prince of Wallachia is a revolutionary leader among her European borders, a young woman guiding her beloved country to freedom from the Ottoman Empire.

Lada Dragwyla
Lada Dragwyla is an unprecedented character in young adult literature, malevolent and ferociously inhumane. Raised as a young woman destined for traditional female servitude, Lada has escaped for the freedom of Wallachia, reestablishing control alongside her trusted Emissaries. Her journey is contravened by inequality, ignorance and chauvinism, her position as Prince inconceivable. Lada has established the admiration of her compatriots and an equitable Wallachia.

Radu Dragwyla
Radu Dragwyla is a spiritual and compassionate young man, sheltered from atrocities and brutality until the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman forces. The legitimate heir to the Wallachia throne, Radu circumvented his homeland and responsibilities to advocate for the Mehmed the Conqueror and the Ottoman Empire. Abandoning Lada and the dishevelled, presumably incorrigible, antagonistic relationship. As abandoned children of servitude, Lada and Radu are educated on the Ottoman occupation and prophet Muhammad. Radu embraced the Muslim faith, Lada's determination and defiance captivating Mehmed, the young Ottoman heir.

Mehmed The Conqueror
Mehmed is an aggravating antagonist. As a child heir guided by the Sultan, Mehmed is an idealistic young man possessing grandeur illusions of a region united under Islam. Although Lada and Radu were captivates of the Sultan, Lada establishes a physical relationship with Mehmed creating resentment and hostility in gentle Radu, who is exploring his sexuality. Mehmed often exploits Radu's attraction, therein lies the issue with his character. Appointing Radu as an adviser and attempting to subdue Lada as a compatriot and companion.

Gender Inequality
In Bright We Burn, Lada is tenacious, unrelenting and although aggravated in retaliation, she's accused of genocidal atrocities. Mehmed conquers Constantinople and is applauded and revered for his initiative. As Prince of Wallachia, Lada is held accountable, male counterparts exonerated for the savagery against humanity. Women in positions of domination are inconceivable. Male lineages occupy Europe, women are wives, concubines and adhere to the traditional female roles prevalent throughout the European kingdoms and Lada Dragwyla, a young woman of influence, revolutionising Europe against the Ottoman occupation.

Character Diversity
An amalgamation of religion and sexuality. Muslim, Christian, same sex relationships and Radu's exploration of sexuality and faith. Radu particularly is confronted by the Wallachian Christianity and upon his captivation by the Sultan, embraced Islam by engaging in sessions of prayer and the Holy Month, experiencing the peaceful teaching of Islam throughout Radu's narrative. The gentle relationship between Nazira, her partner Fatima and Radu is exquisite and although society recognises heteronormative relationships, Nazira and Radu share a familial, nonsexual relationship of affection and tenderness.

Historically, Mehmed the Conqueror was rumoured to have been sexually attracted to men which is unclear throughout The Conquerors Saga. Mehmed shares intimate moments with Radu, gentle gesturing, alluding to the rumours that his harem as Sultan contains consenting men for the Sultan's sexual gratification. To disperse rumours, Mehmed ostracises Radu to Constantinople, unclear if Mehmed is sexually attracted to Radu or exploiting the young Dragwyla's affections.

Essential Reading
The Conquerors Saga is a brutal alternative history of the Prince of Wallachia, blending historical fiction with a cruel and calculating antihero that pushes gender roles, stereotypes and labels. A breathtaking, historical alternative of the Ottoman Empire during fifteenth century Europe and an impeccable finale to what is an outstanding young adult series.

[Stephanie]

Leave me here, I'm dead.

[cornerfolds]

Read more of my reviews at Cornerfolds.com!

And I Darken was my biggest surprise favorite of 2016 and Now I Rise was one of my top three of 2017. I knew before I even got my hands on Bright We Burn that it would be one of my absolute favorites of the year, but I honestly wasn't even prepared for how amazing it was!

This book picks up right where Now I Rise leaves off. Lada is bulldozing her way through the countryside leaving bloody, violent messages everywhere she goes. Mehmed, still with the feelings, wants to work with her, which she (of course) sees as him wanting to rule her. And, as usual, Radu is there in the middle trying to keep the peace.

Lada, as always, is strong and ruthless and wonderful. There are glimpses of vulnerable and unsure Lada, but inevitably pushes it down for the sake of Wallachia. This could be seen as a huge character flaw, and sure Lada isn't a morally wonderful character, but she would not be herself if she allowed her emotions to cloud her actions, and I love her for it. There were moments in this book when I actually pitied Lada because it's so obvious that she does WANT to do what's best for her people, but doesn't always know the best way to get there.

Radu's story continues with him constantly torn between his loyalty to Mehmed and his love for his sister. His relationship with Mehmed is so multifaceted and has come such a long, long way since book one. I felt for him on so many levels as he tried do what was best for each of them without destroying anything that he loved.

Honestly, I can't choose a favorite character because they're all so incredibly written. I know that, way back in book one, some people had issues with how early in Lada and Radu's lives the narrative began, showing them throughout their childhood. Usually I have an issue with books that are slow paced or give too much detail. However, in the And I Darken series, it is absolutely warranted. All of the characters are so intricately tied together and knowing how each relationship originated and progressed makes this book so much more impactful.

This book is dark. It's brutal and gory and focuses around an inevitable war and it's awful consequences. Still, amid the darkness, there is romance and love and friendship. While it isn't fast-paces, there is a steady, tense build up to the battles and bloodshed that are certainly coming. Bright We Burn isn't always an easy book to read, but it is a perfect ending to this series. I can't say much without spoilers, but Kiersten White managed to wrap this series up in a way that was deeply satisfying, but still left me heartbroken.

If you enjoyed the other books in this series, you will love this book. This series is not for everyone and I can appreciate why some people will not enjoy it. For me, though, these books will forever have a space on my favorites shelf!